Considering the perpetual state of conflict combined with political instability plaguing many parts of the planet over the past year, we should be able to confidently look back at 2017 in our corner of the world as extremely fortunate.
Seriously, if the worst issues we in Sundre have to complain about are the new Main Avenue roundabout project and the odd problematic pothole, how bad can we possibly pretend to have it?
The price of oil is finally rebounding ó albeit slowly, but closing in on $60 is already substantially higher than the rock bottom $35 per barrel that sent the provincial and national economies reeling in 2015. The gloriously golden days of $120 per barrel remain a distant memory and are not expected to become a reality again any time soon, but Alberta's growing GDP is forecast to lead Canada's ongoing recovery.
Locally speaking, the roundabouts have reduced the speed of traffic while maintaining a flow, and pedestrians now have a bigger buffer space between them and vehicles. While some people remain steadfastly opposed to the new redesign, others yet who once were against the traffic circles have since completely converted.
Additionally, the Centre Street North project's first phase, while leaving a lot to be desired, nevertheless finally addressed the plight of the potholes and paved the way for future growth in the coming years. Although a timeline is elusive and dependent on the commitment of developers, the groundwork is in place.
Plans for broadband continue to move forward, and whether a private or public model is pursued, our community will hopefully sooner rather than later emerge from the Digital Dark Age to connect to the rest of the world with modern, high-speed Internet infrastructure.
The Visitor Information Centre continues to set new record numbers of people coming to Sundre, indicating that interest in our community continues to grow as outdoor enthusiasts seek out alternatives to the more travelled paths that lead to destinations such as Banff and Jasper.
For the second year in a row, the Town of Sundre's marketing campaign was recognized at the Alberta Tourism awards as one of three finalists. We didn't win, but ending up alongside some heavyweights is certainly indicative of the potential for future success.
Municipal officials even responded to members of the community who called for the reintroduction of a free-access outdoor rink, which as of last week was being flooded just in time for the holidays.
These are but a few examples highlighting that despite the economic downturn, the situation in Sundre certainly allows room for optimism for a brighter future.
As we reflect on 2017 and the possibilities coming in 2018, we at the Round Up would like to wish you all of the best in the new year.
ó Simon Ducatel is the Round Up's editor
